Struggling with substance abuse is a challenge that can be lifelong and damaging without the support of loved ones. Motivating a loved one to go to rehab for addiction takes acknowledgment, research, and communication with their support systems before it is time for treatment.
Motivating a loved one to go to rehab requires multiple steps that you must handle with care and compassion. Once these steps are taken, you must find a suitable inpatient rehab program to assist your loved one on their journey to sobriety.
What is Addiction?
Addiction is an uncontrollable psychological urge to seek out drugs, despite the neurological and physical harm it causes to the brain. SAMHSA’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health showed that 22.5 million people (8.5 percent of the U.S. population) from age 12 or older needed treatment for addiction in 2014.
Drug addicts often experience a drastic change emotionally and physically after long-term use. People with substance use disorder or alcohol use disorder also have a co-occurring disorder of depression and anxiety caused by poverty, abuse, or even boredom. Addiction is a cycle where drug addicts experience ongoing relapses no matter how many times they try to recover.
When is it Time for Treatment?
The time for addiction treatment usually comes when a person with a substance use disorder begins to feel powerless. As a result, drug addicts tend to isolate themselves and begin to feel hopelessness, shame, and depression.
Substance use and alcoholism can be incredibly difficult to identify, but certain signs may indicate a problem. Look out for sudden memory lapses in your loved one, or if they become unusually irritable over minor matters; other indicators include weight loss, impulsivity, and appearing dazed. Additionally, keep an eye on their drinking habits – do they regularly party to manage stress? Do you spot them bingeing frequently? Any slurring of words accompanied by yellowed eyes could also point toward substance abuse issues.
If your loved one or family member is showing symptoms of unusual behavior and changes in appearance, communicate with them the time for treatment.
How to Effectively Communicate Your Desire to Help
The first step to motivating a loved one to go to rehab for addiction is for them to acknowledge that they have a substance use disorder. This acknowledgment is achieved through an intervention performed by communicating your desire to help.
Intervention with drug addicts requires careful communication full of empathy and compassion. Ask your loved one open-ended questions that center on their current life views and expectations for the future.
Drug addicts often hold a lot of shame and regret, so communicating with your loved one can be daunting. Effectively communicating with your loved one will help them realize it is time for treatment, and they will eventually start their journey to recovery.
Motivating Someone to Go to Rehab for Addiction
Addiction is a complex medical disease, not merely an issue of willpower or moral failing. Deep-rooted stigmas associated with this condition can cause individuals to turn down help for fear of judgment. Despite these challenges, addiction should never be seen as shameful, but rather a sign of strength and bravery.
Addiction rehabilitation centers have taken on motivational strategies that are evidence-based and effective. Motivational techniques include cognitive behavioral therapy, wellness exercise, and community-based environments.
According to a study by Oyake et al. (2020), 75% of rehabilitation specialists claimed that motivational strategies such as group rehabilitation, exercise, and patient autonomy increased patient motivation to continue treatment.
What Treatment Options Are Available?
Your loved one has a lot of different treatment options available for them. It’s up to your loved one what treatment they would prefer.
The most common and affordable option is short-term residential treatment. Typically this provides 2-3 months of therapy with a behavioral therapist and an outpatient support group. Long-term residential treatment is an extensive 6-12 month program in an inpatient center where group and wellness therapy is provided.
Treatment options for your loved one should be based on accessibility, affordability, and personal comfort. Choose the most effective and humane treatment that will change the life of your loved one.
How to Find the Right Treatment Facility
Finding the right treatment facility is the final step in motivating a loved one to go to rehab for addiction.
Agape Detox Center has all the right treatments that your loved one needs. This Florida inpatient rehab center provides group therapy, individual counseling, yoga, acupuncture, and dual diagnosis for co-occurring mental health disorders.
Entering Agape Detox Center is a gentle transition, as their admission specialists will handle your loved one with tenderness and care. Verifying insurance is also hassle-free as their specialists handle it as soon as you submit a form. Motivating a loved one to go to rehab and enter a fulfilling journey to recovery is a hard thing to do. But your loved one will be ever grateful to you at Agape Detox Center.
Stephanie Catalano is an accomplished Clinical Director at Agape Behavioral Healthcare. With a Master of Social Work degree, LCSW license, and extensive training in Rapid Resolution Therapy under her belt, she brings a wealth of expertise to her role. Her unique combination of education and experience allows her to provide exceptional care to clients and lead her team with confidence. Stephanie’s joy comes from witnessing the moments when her patients creatively connect the dots and bravely move toward reclaiming their power. Her purpose is to help individuals understand their past so they can create a future full of hope, growth, and success. Stephanie attributes a large portion of her success to the supportive culture and strong sense of community fostered by the Agape team.
